Entry into force and transition period In May 2023, EN ISO 16321 was formally published in the Official Journal of the European Union as a harmonised standard and replacement for EN 166. The legal introduction of the new standard will take effect in November 2024. From this date, products may only be tested and certified by official bodies in accordance with the new EN ISO 16321 standard. However, existing certificates based on EN 166 will remain valid until their respective official expiry dates, but for a maximum of five years. This means that products that are certified or recertified in accordance with EN 166 by 31 October 2024 may be labelled and placed on the market in accordance with EN 166 until 31 October 2029. During this transition period, safety eyewear in accordance with both EN 166 and EN ISO 16321 will be available on the market. For dealers, by contrast, there is no end date by which they must have sold their EN 166-certified products! Scope and background The ISO was established primarily for updating and adapting already defined tests and test methods to match the current technological standards. It is also designed to achieve, where possible, the global harmonisation of the various PPE standards in force in different regions of the world. When defining the requirements and test methods, ISO has taken all international standards currently in force (e.g.AS/NZS, ANSI etc.) into account and has incorporated elements of them into the unified and harmonised standard ISO 16321. However, member countries are free to choose whether to apply the new ISO standard or to maintain their existing, currently applicable national standards. In the future, this will allow for greater consistency in international product markings and universal minimum standards. In the European Union and the United Kingdom, EN ISO 16321 will replace the current standard EN 166 when it comes into force. Other international PPE markets may follow in the future. EN ISO 16321 — The most important changes at a glance: • EN ISO 16321 includes EN ISO 16321-1 (general requirements; UV, sunglare and IR filters), EN ISO 16321-2 (welding protection filters) and EN ISO 16321-3 (mesh visors). • The markings for all safety eyewear and visors will be updated. As a result, new certificates will be required for all affected products. • New test heads and coverage areas have been defined, and certification of different head sizes (S, M, L) is now also permitted. • The mechanical strength for goggles and face protection will be reduced to 80 m/s and 120 m/s (previously 120 m/s and 190 m/s). • Additional, optional tests for e.g. chemical resistance, liquid flows and electrostatic discharges are made possible. • Various tests and markings will be limited to certain product areas, e.g. it will only be possible to use marking 9 (protection against molten metals) for visors. The new standard for safety eyewear EN ISO 16321 The following pages contain an overview of the markings set out by EN 166 and EN ISO 16321. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service. Further information about EN ISO 16321 and more detailed information about the changes can be found on our blog: Scan the QR code for more information. uvex-safety.com/blog/new-protective-eyewear- standards-en-iso-163212022/ Frame marking Lens marking Unpacking the new standard and what it means for your safety eyewear For more than 20 years, the EN 166 standard has defined all of the requirements and standards for safety eyewear within the European Union and the United Kingdom. EN 166 is now being replaced by EN ISO 16321. The new standard contains a range of international standards that will entail some significant changes to product requirements and test methods. 23
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